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–+ servings
Cranberry Cream Cheese Pasta

Cranberry Cream Cheese Pasta

The Crispy Chef
This cranberry cream cheese pasta sounds wild — but it works. Creamy, savory, tangy, and sweet, this 20-minute dish will completely change how you think about flavor combos.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American, Fusion
Servings 6 servings
Calories 485 kcal

Equipment

  • Large Pot for boiling pasta
  • Large skillet or sauté pan
  • Colander for draining pasta
  • Wooden spoon or pasta fork
  • Cheese grater
  • Large serving bowl

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz penne or rigatoni pasta (340g)
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened (225g)
  • 1 cup dried cranberries (or ¾ cup fresh)
  • ½ cup chicken broth or vegetable broth
  • ¼ cup white wine (optional)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp olive oil (30ml)
  • 1 medium shallot, finely diced (or ½ small onion)
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (50g)
  • ¼ cup toasted pine nuts or chopped walnuts (30g)
  • 2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves (or 1 tsp dried)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 cups cooked chicken, diced (optional)
  • 2 cups fresh spinach (optional)
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
  • Red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Extra Parmesan for serving

Instructions
 

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil.
  • Cook pasta 1 minute less than package directions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
  • Drain pasta but do not rinse to help sauce stick.
  • Heat olive oil in a skillet. Add shallot and cook 2–3 minutes. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
  • Stir in dried cranberries and cook for 1–2 minutes until slightly plumped.
  • Add white wine if using. Let simmer for 1 minute to reduce.
  • Pour in broth and add softened cream cheese. Whisk until smooth.
  • Add thyme, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until creamy.
  • Stir cooked pasta into sauce. Use reserved pasta water as needed to loosen.
  • Off heat, stir in Parmesan, toasted nuts, and optional ingredients like spinach or chicken.
  • Taste and adjust salt, pepper, and add lemon juice if needed for balance.
  • Plate immediately. Garnish with parsley, Parmesan, or extra cranberries.

Notes

Use softened cream cheese for a silky sauce. Save your pasta water to adjust consistency, and don’t be afraid to add extras like chicken or spinach. Optional white wine gives it a deeper flavor, and toasting the nuts really elevates the final dish.

Nutrition

Calories: 485kcalCarbohydrates: 62gProtein: 15gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 360mgPotassium: 220mgFiber: 3gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 950IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 150mgIron: 1.3mg
Keyword cranberry pasta, cream cheese pasta, holiday pasta, leftover cranberry sauce, quick pasta dinner
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